Tomlinson’s return applies some salve to healing wounds

LaDainian Tomlinson speaks during celebration of life for Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday, May 11, 2012.

K.C. Alfred

LaDainian Tomlinson speaks during celebration of life for Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday, May 11, 2012.

LaDainian Tomlinson speaks during celebration of life for Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday, May 11, 2012. (K.C. Alfred)

LaDainian Tomlinson stepped out of the tunnel and onto the grass and all at once it was 2006 again.

Ever conscious of his color scheme, the expatriate running back returned to Qualcomm Stadium Friday night in a powder blue sweater, gold slacks and a coordinating checked blazer. The ensemble fairly screamed “Chargers,” and the fans chanted Tomlinson’s initials as if the prodigal son had returned and hit pay dirt.

The evening was dedicated to the memory of Junior Seau, but the closure was more comprehensive. Two years, two months, two weeks and five days since the Chargers released him, LT again set foot on the field where he became famous and again evoked unambiguous cheers.

There had been friction in Tomlinson’s 2010 exit, and there was more of it when he reflected on the breakup upon joining the New York Jets. The man is without malice or guile, but he should have known that some of his statements would be read as criticism of his Chargers coaches and his offensive linemen. Candor works best when blended with accountability, and LT sometimes looked like the last to know that the Chargers’ change in emphasis was in large part a product of his own decline.

“The things that happened in San Diego, everything was taken away from me,” he said then. “There wasn’t an emphasis on running the football anymore. My best fullback (Lorenzo Neal) was gone, the linemen were pass blocking and it was a passing quarterback (Philip Rivers) and a passing coach (Norv Turner). So, the situation’s kind of misleading when you look on film.”

This was not a scorched-earth statement by any reasonable standard — and, at least in outline, it was reasonably accurate — but it was certainly short on diplomacy and long on alibis. Lead balloons are more uplifting.

Yet to hear Tomlinson speak about Seau on Friday night was to be reminded that friction can be fleeting and that the enduring LT is a man worth emulating — a scandal-free superstar who is also decent, generous and genuine.

Even before his poignant closing remarks to Seau’s parents — “Mama Seau, Papa Seau, it’s time for you to take a bow … ” — Tomlinson captivated the crowd with his memories of the late linebacker. He cited Seau as both an example and a guide, as the veteran who told him where to propose to his wife and taught him to bring junk food to training camp.

He recounted learning to block Seau by first being flattened by him and then by running at him with his eyes closed. As the laughter resounded and the cheers intensified, a pedant in the crowd heard an echo from Antony’s speech at Caesar’s funeral:

“You all did love him once, not without cause.”

LaDainian Tomlinson felt the love Friday night. If the circumstances were different than anyone would have wished, the occasion afforded ample opportunities for healing. If some fans had not yet forgiven Tomlinson for his exit interviews or the body language he conveyed as an injured spectator during the 2007 season’s AFC Championship Game, their tongues fell silent as he spoke.

When he was finished, most of those in attendance stood to applaud him.

“This was unbelievable, to be honest with you — the reception that the fans gave me,” Tomlinson said upon descending the platform. “I didn’t know what to expect coming in.”

There was no cause for apprehension. When Bill Buckner returned to Fenway Park in 2008, he received a standing ovation that lasted for five minutes. When the heat of the moment subsides, most fans respect an honest effort, forgive frailty and revere greatness.

“That was the emotional side of things when changes were happening,” Tomlinson said of the harsher tone of earlier times. “Now, we’re all in a better place. We all have moved on from that time. Change is hard. And so this is not only closure (for) Junior, but it’s kind of like bringing me back here.”

From all appearances, it was more of a cameo than a homecoming. Though Tomlinson still owns a palatial home in Poway, it sits empty awaiting a buyer. Though the Chargers might have use for a third-down back with LT’s receiving skills, General Manager A.J. Smith says he “moved on years ago.”

For his part, Tomlinson is almost resigned to retirement. Though he says he’s “as healthy as I was when I was here,” he hastens to add: “It would have to take unbelievable circumstances (to play again).”

If he is finished with pro football, Tomlinson will retire with 13,684 yards — fifth best in NFL history — and his 162 career touchdowns rank third behind Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith.

“He was one of the greatest players in the history of our franchise, as Junior was,” Chargers President Dean Spanos said. “They carried our franchise during their period of time. How do you forget that?”